Sunday Dec 31, 2006
Er, hello....
Cryptome repeats a US Dept of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration report on a security breach at a LNG facility in Lynn, MA, USA., which well displays the human capacity to ignore machines, and indeed everything around them.
Friday Dec 29, 2006
Modelling or predicting the deity.
Instead of the usual 'some thoughts at Christmas' or year-end review, here's something about statistics, modelling and probability. My local church magazine recently had an article about Dr Stephen Unwin, author of The probability of God.
Thursday Dec 28, 2006
Cancer cell growth simulation
An article in 'Cell' reports a new simulation of the way cancer cells develop; MaxHealth website says the research: "represents a "sea change" in how biology is done." It looks at the impact of the micro-environment on cell growth.
Wednesday Dec 27, 2006
The bottom line?
According to a report in the Independent, "US forces have fired so many bullets in Iraq and Afghanistan - an estimated 250,000 for every insurgent killed - that American ammunition-makers cannot keep up with demand." What does this tell us about the US military's (largely simulation-based) training?
Sunday Dec 24, 2006
Simulating snowflakes/ cellular automata.
Science news describes a new method of simulating the growth of snowflakes. This is more complex than it seems and raises wider issues.
Victorian technology and 3D reproduction
Having recently spent an evening trying my hand (literally) at plaster casting, I was fascinated to read that, for the Victorians, this technology was as exciting and popular as digital reproduction is for us. In a pre-Benjamin age, it raises many of the same questions about the reproducibility of works of art, and the value of the copy. Given nearly 150 years of historical perspective, we can also see the fate of these copies.
Saturday Dec 23, 2006
But is it art?
Not much on the blog this month. One of the reasons why is here.
Friday Dec 22, 2006
Being alone, together
According to the New York Times, US Americans spend more time than ever consuming media - alone.
Tuesday Dec 12, 2006
Simulating future happiness
Interesting quote on The Edge about simulation and happiness.
Friday Dec 1, 2006
The sheep market and database art.
O'Reilly Radar mentions a thesis by Aaron Koblin which used the Mechanical Turk to produce a work of art and sociology. Great idea, interesting background, sad comment on our age.